What Christian Parents Need to Know About New Age and Occult Beliefs

Marcia was involved for many years in Eastern and New Age beliefs, and was a licensed professional astrologer. She became a Christian in 1990 and today has a ministry called Christian Answers for the New Age. Her ministry exists to 1) educate Christians about the New Age and occult so they can be more discerning and equipped to witness, and 2) reach people in the New Age and the occult with the love and truth of the Gospel. Marcia has a Masters in Religion from Southern Evangelical Seminary and is a missionary with Fellowship International Mission. She has spoken in 30 states, is a frequent radio guest, and has published articles in several Christian publications. She is the mother of an adult son, and is the author of SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids.

I had the opportunity to ask Marcia several questions on what Christian parents need to know about New Age and occult beliefs. This is an area I personally knew very little about before doing this interview. I learned a lot, and I know you will too! As Marcia explains, your kids are probably exposed to these beliefs more than you realize.

1. Marcia, can you start by telling us a little about your own journey from being a professional astrologer to becoming a Christian?

I was deeply involved in the New Age and followed Eastern spiritual teachings (Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist) for many years. I also practiced and taught astrology. I was very hostile to what I viewed as narrow-minded Christianity. In the year I ended my term as President of the Astrological Society in Atlanta, I suddenly experienced a compulsion to go to church. This led me to attend a (very open-minded) church several months later, where I amazingly experienced the feeling of God’s love pouring down on me (from a personal God I didn’t even believe in!). I then gave up astrology. I eventually encountered and began trusting in Jesus while reading the Gospel of Matthew. All of this took place over just 8 or 9 months!

2. Can you help parents understand exactly what “New Age” means, and why New Age ideas are so appealing to young people?

The term “New Age” covers a broad ground and can be difficult to define. The New Age itself doesn’t even use the term “New Age!” The more popular term is “spirituality” – someone forming their own spiritual path. That type of path is usually New Age or partly New Age.

But here is how I define New Age: It is a network of beliefs whose roots are Gnostic, Eastern, and New Thought.

The Gnostic part values spiritual above the material/physical; the material is merely a manifestation of the spiritual, so everything is spiritual. In New Age views, the body is a manifestation of the spiritual state.

The Eastern beliefs of Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism contribute several ideas to the New Age: principles of reincarnation, an impersonal source that we all come from and go back to, the view that this world is not ultimately real, the claim that there are no absolutes (all spirituality is subjective), and the need for Eastern-based meditation to achieve spiritual understanding or awakening.

Finally, the New Age draws heavily from New Thought, which includes the belief that Jesus came to correct wrong thinking and model how to achieve Christ Consciousness, the awareness of our innate divinity. New Thought also teaches that one’s thoughts and words can bring one’s desires into reality via certain techniques. The bestselling book, The Secret, is a classic example of New Thought. New Thought claims to be Christian and often sounds like it. It is very deceptive.

You can find people in the New Age anywhere along this spectrum from Gnostic to Eastern to New Thought, as well as many who combine these beliefs. Additionally, the New Age adopts some occult views and practices (see my response to the next question.)

The New Age can appeal to young people for several reasons. One is because it is very different from the Judeo-Christian worldview, which makes it intriguing. Another is that it seems to offer ancient wisdom, since Eastern and pagan beliefs were established before Christianity. Some areas of the New Age emphasize the power or divinity of the female, and draw women in that way.

One of the chief appeals is that the New Age is experiential in nature, so what a person experiences and feels is highly valued over objective truth. This allows you to have a customized spirituality, which is especially appealing to young people.

3. Could you also define the occult and explain how occult ideas relate to New Age ideas?

The occult is a set of practices based on Deuteronomy 18:10-12, where God lists and denounces all of them. They are divination (often called fortunetelling), spirit contact, and sorcery.

Spirit contact is seeking information or guidance from disembodied beings, who are believed to be ghosts (dead people), aliens, ascended masters, angels or deities from non-Christian religions.

Sorcery (today usually called ritual or ceremonial magic) involves using the will to bring about a desired end through incantations, rituals, magical tools, contact with spirit beings, and/or the manipulation of powers or energies.

Although many New Agers use occult practices or consult those in the occult, the New Age and occult worldviews differ. The New Age is transcendent and future-oriented; the person is always seen as evolving toward a goal, learning lessons, and eventually being liberated from this life and reality.

The occult is more here-and-now oriented, is more pragmatic in nature, and focuses on the practical use of one’s energy and/or nature’s energy to manifest happiness and results.

As a general disclaimer, New Agers and occultists disagree amongst themselves on their beliefs, and certainly some would likely disagree with my descriptions as well.

4. In your experience, what are the dangers of kids getting interested in these ideas?

My two main concerns are desensitization and glamorization. I believe that the massive amounts of books, TV shows, and movies that promote occultism and heroes/heroines who have occult powers have desensitized the culture as a whole. No longer is it seen as a bad thing for a child to pretend to cast spells, for example; now that is viewed almost endearingly. It is easy to become desensitized to the fact that these activities are evil.

Ultimately, being desensitized can lead to acceptance of New Age or occult beliefs, which in turn can lead to disinterest in or rejection of what God has to say about false beliefs. That acceptance can lead to active participation in New Age or occult practices.

5. Most parents probably aren’t aware of how New Age or occult ideas might touch their kids. Can you give us examples of where kids might encounter New Age or occult ideas in popular culture today?

One of the most popular ways is the Ouija Board, made by Parker Brothers and sold in toy stores. It was originally designed by a Spiritualist as a tool for contacting the dead. The dead cannot respond to us, but fallen angels can and do. They don’t care if you are using the Board as a game. A well-known series of books, the Seth series, came about from the author’s initial contact with an entity calling itself Seth via the Ouija Board. Seth eventually began to speak directly through the author, Jane Roberts, while she was in a deep trance state, and these messages formed the book series (the first one influenced me deeply as a New Ager). There are other cases of people who channeled teachings after using a Ouija Board. It’s not simply a game.

Probably the biggest purveyor of occult concepts is the media: television, video games, and movies which emphasize stories where the hero or heroine wields supernatural powers. Some of these abilities are harmless fantasy (e.g., X-ray vision), while others involve casting spells, using psychic powers, or even contacting spirits. It is common for books and movies to mix fantasy with the occult, further confusing the problem.

Parents often want a list of media to avoid, but it is impossible to maintain such a list. Ideally, parents need to understand Deuteronomy 18:10-12 so they can recognize occult ideas and teach their children to be discerning.

I offer parents a resource for this in my book, SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids (2006), which is now on Kindle and is an e-book on sites such as Barnes & Noble and Christianbook.com. This is a guide for parents (and others) that offers suggestions on how to talk to children about these areas and how to answer objections.

6. What do you feel is the best way to handle New Age/occult exposure with your kids? What should parents say?

My concern is not so much that a TV program or book contains New Age/occult ideas as it is that a program or book glamorizes or promotes them.

A lot depends on the age and maturity of the child. I would say that kids under age 12 should have no exposure to books or media that promote occult ideas, no matter how mildly. At this age, children don’t yet have critical thinking skills and they emotionally identify with the heroes.

For early teens, be very selective and discuss any questionable material that pops up. I would completely avoid books or programs that have a focus on occult themes or have heroes who blatantly practice occultism.

For older teens, there is less control, of course, but if you discover they are reading or have watched something that promotes occult or New Age ideas, have a discussion with them. Ask them what they think of it, show them Scripture, and help them understand it is a fallen world that is under the sway of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Evil things will be accepted and even admired by the world, but that doesn’t make them harmless.

In my book for parents on the occult, I give suggestions at the end of each chapter on how to talk to your children about that chapter’s particular topic.

7. If there are parents reading this whose kids are already involved somehow in New Age/occult ideas, what resources do you recommend to help them?

If your child is getting interested or involved in the occult, it is imperative to have a talk with him or her. Don’t postpone it or hope it goes away. At the same time, don’t show fear of it. Ask questions, use Scripture to show why these areas should be avoided, and make it clear you will not allow occult materials in the home. Be low-key about it, but firm. It is your home and your responsibility to guide your child in the wisdom of the Lord.

Do you have any questions for Marcia? Please leave a comment or question below!

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Comments

I think you can add “The Celestine Prophecy” and “The Secret” to New Thought. Such New Age ideas have been commercialized where devotees pay for training and receive franchise certificates and go forth and train others.

The Celestine Prophecy is a classic example of these ideas in popular culture. As I wrote about before, I personally was fascinated by the book and had no concept that there was a conflict between such a worldview and Christianity…despite having attended church for 18 years!

Have you heard of the Word of Faith movement? Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, etc. much of it is based on New Thought, and is a huge influence on churches like
Vineyard, and other charismatic churches.

Just fyi re “The Celestine Prophecy” – I consider it more New Age than New Thought, which is what “The Secret” is (New Thought). But certainly they would both go in the broader category I’m addressing here. I have an article on “The Celestine Prophecy” on my site which I wrote when it was popular, plus 2 articles on “The Secret.”

Yes, I learned about the Word Faith movement as a brand new believer after hearing either Charles Capps or Kenneth Hagin on a Christian radio program, knowing that what I heard was not sounding biblical. Whether it’s based on New Thought has been disputed but there is one book that claims to trace the origins of Word Faith from New Thought cults, “A Different Gospel,” by D R McConnell. I would suggest that book if this interests you. The parallels are clear – speak and believe what you want into manifestation. But Word Faith is a cult in the church while New Thought, though it claims to be Christian, and has influenced the church. is a movement outside the church (though some are not aware of that). I have an article on New Thought on my site.

I’m following a men’s shed site with a thread on spirituality , References to scripture are frowned upon by the few people still commenting on the site , I post whatever I like for the benefit of the majority of the followers still reading the posts but reluctant to comment , I’ve seen over sixty years how difficult it is to hold the interest of members when the sole reference material is the scriptures , My faith has two hundred years of references of God’s dealings with the saints recorded in our church history , A reference book called the Doctrine and covenants and we also believe in the book of Mormon ,Unfortunately new age thinking has taken it’s toll , Not to mention the stigma of the Mormon movement making growth of the church almost impossible , To see feminism and new age thinking split the faithful was the crulelest blow .

John MacArthur also has a book that addresses Word of Faith called Charismatic Chaos, and another called Strange Fire (but I like the former better). I have recently taken a huge interest in the difference between WOF and reformed Christianity because my sister in law and brother in law are WOF, and Raymond grew up in it, but eventually saw it for what it is (in our opinion a false gospel). Actually, I was planning to email you, N, and see if you could address it on your blog. I believe its’ influence is incredibly far reaching in the mainstream evangelical church and people don’t even realize it when it has infiltrated their churches.

Very interesting. All these new thoughts and other religions, Mormons , Jehovah Witnesses, so deceptive, they think they ‘re Christians. That’s why it is so important to read the Bible daily so we can better recognize when something doesn’t line up with God’s Word.

Hi, Deedee! Yoga and Reiki are two different things and Yoga is quite complex. I will address Yoga in this answer and then post another one on Reiki so it is less confusing. Just fyi, I have 5 articles on Yoga, including Yoga for Children, on my website, which give more details. Yoga is a system within Hindu beliefs and there are several forms of it. Hatha Yoga, the type we see most commonly in the U.S., is the form of Yoga that uses the body as a tool to prepare for deeper meditations of advanced Yoga and to make the body more receptive to Kundalini, an energy or force believed to be coiled at the base of the spine.
The Kundalini is to travel up the body through an invisible channel, making contact with the chakras (wheels of energy) until it reaches the top of the crown of the head, which opens one to enlightened spiritual vision. This supposedly takes a number of lifetimes. Hatha Yoga, through the breathwork and asanas (poses) is supposed to help prepare the chakras for the Kundalini.
Hatha Yoga is a spiritual practice and was designed for spiritual purposes. I think that doing it just for exercise is taking a chance since it has a spiritual dimension, and I know of cases of Christians who got drawn into New Age type beliefs by initially doing Yoga just for exercise. I am not saying Yoga will do this, but I think doing Yoga may possibly make one more receptive to the beliefs that are associated with it, and in this country, it’s the New Age (which has roots in Eastern beliefs).

A bit more on Yoga: The breathing exercises are pranayama, and based on the belief that prana is the divine breath of the universe, so doing this breathing is supposed to be spiritual and actually induces a meditative (suggestible) state in the mind and spirit. Also the Kundalini rising to the crown, as mentioned in my comment above, represents the union of the Hindu goddess Shakti rising to join a male god, Shiva. As in many Eastern beliefs, the joining of male and female energies is part of the spiritual practices and symbols. Hatha Yoga is part of the Tantra tradition of Hinduism and therefore includes such ideas and symbols.

Re Reiki: I do have an article on it on my site. Reiki is an energy healing that was started by a Japanese monk and brought to the U.S. around 1979. In fact, the first Reiki center was in Atlanta and I knew, as a New Ager at the time, several people who went there to get healing, and later, training. Reiki involves an initiation during which the healing energy is supposedly “awakened” in the person. This is actually an occult initiation. Then secret symbols (which I’ve been told are Japanese symbols or letters) are shown during further advances through the 3 degrees. It is a very esoteric practice. All energy healing involves opening one’s self to spirit guides (fallen angels) and demonic forces. All Reiki healers have spirit guides. This is my article on Reiki: http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Reiki1.html

I greatly enjoyed this post and am glad to have stumbled upon your blog. This isn’t directly related to the topic of New Age, but I’d be curious about your response or take on Free Masons and Shriners. My father happily participates in both groups (my mom in the sister groups, Daughters’ of the Nile and Eastern Star) while also attending an Anglican Church. I didn’t actually realize until becoming a Christian and joining an evangelical church that there is controversy about membership in these groups.

Hi, Jennifer, I am just now seeing this comment. I don’t address Masonry as it is a very specialized group and not really part of the New Age movement. There are some ministries that address it like Ex-Masons for Jesus and others. I really put it in a different category since it is so narrow and secretive.

I think its not a coincidence that I came across this article today. Based in India, which is the origin of many of these beliefs and practices, its disturbing to find it becoming more and more mainstream everyday.

I was trying to help a brother involved in occult in the past week…. and I felt I should be knowing more about this kind of stuff to be able to really help. And then, I come across this…..

Thanks Natasha and Marcia…. I think I will be a regular reader of Marcia’s articles..

I’ve known Marcia for several years, now. We became friends after I listened to an interview w/her on a local Christian radio show (Janet Parshall’s America). That was back in 1997, or 1998, at least 15 years. I’ve continued to follow her because she is so knowledgeable about her area of expertise, that I can’t stop following her. It is an area most Christians, regardless of how mature, don’t have a lot of knowledge on. I can also vouch for her scriptural adherence to truth. She has a gifted way of explaining Biblical truth in light of the New Age, spiritualism, or whatever deception you want to name. Anyone seeking information re: the topics Marcia writes about and talks about will be getting accurate and truthful information. I’ve read her book, and I highly recommend it, not just for parents, but for anyone. Kids aren’t the only ones out there at spiritual risk. I pray for Marcia regularly, because she is on the front line, the tip of the spear, in facing the stealthy evil that exists out there in the world. I’m proud to be her friend.

The ouiji board was mentioned, but can I also add games like ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board.’ I did this as a pre-teen once and it really worked. There was a real presence there lifting my brother. (My story is at sweetlybrokengirl.blogspot.com. It is in the Child of Mine posts, chapter 8 (near the end) and chapter 22.) Spirits are real, and we parents need to help our children know the ‘danger areas’ as well as the need for spiritual armor and the power o f Jesus’ name.

Hi dear sister
Many thanks for sharing your experiences. Please tell us what will finally happen to one’s child who dabbled in occultism and then committed suicide. We are a Christian family and we did all we could to help our 18 year old to realize the dangers but he was convinced there were many ways ways to go to God. He still prayed through Jesus but combined his Christian faith with new age and occultism. I guess he got very overwhelmed and decided it was better for him to take his own life. As a mum who taught him about Christ from birth I am still so distraught and confused as to how I could have helped my beloved son. Sorry for such a long question.

Hi, Joy, I am just now seeing your comment/question! I am so sorry for your terrible loss of your son. If your son trusted in Christ, he is with the Lord. Suicide or dabbling in the occult cannot make someone lose their salvation. I don’t know if you feel he truly trusted in Jesus, but if he did, he is with Him now. I pray that the Lord will give you His peace and comfort in this.

Thank you so much Marcia for this article.
It is so difficult to find christians who talk about it, i find, on the internet..
I live on a small island in the indian ocean, with few christians, but my huband and i got very good teaching in South Africa.
But now, i am surrounded by christian whom children read all these fantasy books filled with occult, without thinking it is bad,in the christian school where they have just started: my husband and i have been so chocked about it that we will go and see the head soon to discuss about this probleme, as i dont want my children to read them…but sad it is happening in a christian school…
So i will actually copy your page that i find very relevant, with verses and prayers! to try open their eyes.
The books they read is for exemple: Lord of the rings, Eragon, Rangers apprentice.What do you think of these books? Am i “exagerating”?
Thank you so much in advance for your response, and sorry about my “not perfect” english 🙂
And thank you so much for your site.

Hello, Anne, Sorry, just now seeing your question. It is not fantasy that is bad; it is stories or idea that make occult practices look good. I did not find that in Lord of the Rings except in one or two minor places. I have a brief write-up on that in my FAQ document on my website on p. 2 on the difference between LOTR and Harry Potter. http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/AboutCANA_FAQs2.html

Hi, Wally, Sorry, just now seeing your question. See my answer above to Anne. I do not think LOTR is like Harry Potter for many reasons. I also did not see a problem with the Hunger Games movie — I did not read the book, however. Thor is presented as fantasy and I do not think in any way is trying to teach that the Norse gods or other gods like that are real and that we should worship them. However, there are parents uncomfortable with those types of movies and that is a matter of conscience. Here is a brief reply I give on my FAQ document re LOTR vs. Harry Potter: http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/AboutCANA_FAQs2.html

I am a mother of two young Christian children whom I have actively and gratefully taken influences away from such as Disney, Nickelodeon, and to the best I can, any videos or movies that deal with things like magical powers. Recently my son went to Universal Studios well visiting with his father and had asked if it was OK to watch the Harry Potter movies so that he might understand the themepark better. I told him that while it is my preference he not watch them, that he should pray about it, and he never did watch any of the movies or read the books, but came home with a Gryffindor T-shirt. I continue to have a conviction about Harry Potter in particular, while things like Lord of the rings I grew up reading. I am trying to understand how to distinguish what influences (even slight connections) to the Harry Potter series might have on witchcraft and occult. I have never watched them myself for lack of interest, but I do understand that these things are very popular among children and adults, and do not wish to willingly send my children into places were the occult and sorcery are glamorized. Can you clarify your comment on the difference between Harry Potter and Lord of the rings?

Hello, Macie. I do not think LOTR glamorizes occult practices whereas Harry Potter books and movies do. LOTR’s main theme is that creatures cannot handle power because they are corrupted by it. LOTR has clear lines between good and evil; HP does not — it blurs the lines quite often and/or redefines what is good and what is evil. The fact that HP has a villain does not change this. I have articles on the Harry Potter books and movies on my website. Go to the articles page at http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles.html and look under Book Evaluations for the articles on the books and under Movie Evaluations for the articles on the movies if you want more detailed information. I do not think HP has as much to do with witchcraft as it does with alchemy and sorcery, which are not the same thing. Spells are done in ritual and ceremonial magic apart from witchcraft spells (using the term “witchcraft” in the sense of the modern Witchcraft/Wiccan religions). Of course, a spell is a spell and is connected to worship of false gods in Deut. 18:10-14. Also, see my book SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids where I explain in detail that passage from Deut. and how it applies to things we see in the culture today (available on kindle and from Amazon sellers). I hope this answers your question. Please ask more if you would like to.

I am a psychic, I have got people involved with my beliefs because I strongly believe it’s right. I knew a Christian man, I tried to get him involved with my beliefs and lifestyle. I now I have spent time trying to contact this man but I have been told to stay away from him by his Mother. I know he’s a married man now with children of his own and that he’s a devout Christian and has been all his life so I’ve been led to believe. His Wife who actively campaigns against the occult told me to stay away from her family saying I’m a bad influence and her Husband and also there children and that he wants nothing to do with me. If Christians are so good why would his mom and his Wife have to tell me to stay away? Shouldn’t he be able to make up his own mind?

Hello, Tracy, I imagine his wife and mother are trying to protect him, although I do think he should speak for himself. I hope you read my article on psychics. Your guides are fallen angels and are deceptive. Btw, Christians are not perfect and do wrong things. Becoming a Christian is not a matter of trying to be good but is a matter of being forgiven, and then being transformed slowly over time by the Holy Spirit. Anyone can be forgiven of their sins when trusting in the true Jesus Christ who died to pay the penalty for those sins so that those who believe can have eternal life with God.

Oh Marcia I really thank God for your response. We attended my son’s inquest this year and what we saw on the camera footage was bizarre. He plunged a knife into his chest four times without screaming or indication of any pain. All the blood tests reported no trace of drug in his blood. So I suspect the fallen angels were in control using his arm to plunge a knife into his chest. This looked so inhuman and extremely scary, like really sacrificial!! My son died very cruelly. The verdict was ‘suicide’ but the coroner said he was not satisfied that it was mere suicide as my son was seen very frightened on the night he did it which was after midnight. The challenge is that there is no other evidence found, like a series of events leading to this tragedy. His phone was never found and the suspicion is that it had some clues. My youngest son who is 16 is struggling very much and is now addicted to cannabis which he says helps him to cope. Marcia I’m a God-loving mother who has led many teens to Jesus and this sometimes affects my confidence/faith, but nothing will ever separate us from God’s love. I will continue to pray and evangelise in Jesus’ name. Many thanks dear sister and may you and your family stay well covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. I will get your books to equip myself. We love you sister.

So happy to find this…I am a former new age devotee, who had persons in my bloodline who practiced Yoga, I had Reiki when I was pregnant with one of my kids…this child later would have a fascination for Eastern Culture and also occultic things…I am posting and going to start blogging about this soon. I am going to get her book as well…Thanks so much for posting.

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